If you have a Bluetooth Xbox controller, pair it with your PC to use it with your headset. Learn how.

If you have a wired Xbox controller, plug it in to your PC.

Some games and apps use the Xbox controller differently from how it's used in mixed reality. To use the controller for a game or app, select Use as gamepad on the app bar or say, "Use as gamepad." To switch the controller back to mixed reality, select Use as gamepad, again, or say, "Use with gaze."

Using controllers

Here’s how to get around in mixed reality with motion controllers, an Xbox gamepad, or a mouse and keyboard.

Press the thumbstick forward, then point the controller where you want to go. Release the thumbstick.

Press the left thumbstick forward, then look where you want to go. Release the thumbstick.

Click and hold the right button, then point the mouse where you want to go. Release the button.

Select

Point the controller, then pull the trigger or click the touchpad.

Gaze at the target, then press A.

Point the mouse, then left-click.

Open the Start menu

Press the Windows button.

Press the Xbox button.

Press the Windows logo key .

Leave an immersive app

Press the Windows button.

Press the Xbox button.

Press the Windows logo key .

Rotate

Move the thumbstick left or right.

Move the right stick left or right.

Not available.

Back up

Move the thumbstick backward.

Move the left stick backward.

Not available.

Walk

Push the thumbstick straight down, then press it in the direction you want to walk.

Push the left stick straight down, then press it in the direction you want to walk.

Not available.

Move an app window

Point at the app bar. Pull and hold the trigger to grab the window, then use the controller to move it in any direction. Release the trigger.

Gaze at the app bar, then press and hold A to grab the window. Use the left stick to move the window side-to-side or up and down. Use the triggers to move it closer and farther away. Then release A.

Point the mouse at the app bar. Left-click and hold to grab the window, then use the mouse to move it side-to-side or up and down. Use the scroll wheel to move the window closer or farther away. Release the mouse button.

Move a 3D object

Point at the object, then pull and hold the trigger to grab it. Move it in any direction with the controller, then release the trigger.

Gaze at the object, then press and hold A to grab it. Use the left stick to move the window side-to-side or up and down. Use the triggers to move it closer and farther away. Then release A.

Point the mouse at the object. Left-click and hold to grab it, then use the mouse to move it side-to-side or up and down.To move it closer or farther away, use the scroll wheel. Release the mouse button.

Rotate or resize an app window

Point one controller at the app bar and the other controller anywhere on the window. Hold down both triggers, then move the controllers together or apart to resize. To rotate, move one controller toward you and the other one away from you. Release the triggers.

Select Adjust on the app bar. Gaze at a corner of the adjustment frame, then press A to select it. Use the left stick to resize the window.

Select Adjust on the app bar. Select and hold a corner of the adjustment frame, then use your mouse to resize the window.

Rotate or resize a 3D object

Point both controllers at the object. Hold down both triggers, then move the controllers together or apart to resize. To rotate, move one controller toward you and the other one away from you.

Select Adjust on the app bar, and then move the object using the left stick.

Select Adjust on the app bar, and then select and hold the object and use your mouse to move it.

Scroll in an app window

Pull and hold the trigger, then move the controller up or down.

Use the D-pad.

Use the mouse scroll wheel.

Zoom in or out in app window

Pull both triggers, then move the controllers closer together or farther apart.

Pull the right trigger to zoom in, and the left trigger to zoom out.

Use the mouse scroll wheel while holding down the CTRL key on the keyboard.

Open a menu

Press the Menu button.

Press the Menu button.

Right-click.

What do the vibrations and lights mean?

Your controller communicates to you what it's doing by vibrating and blinking its LED lights.